70-Yard-FG

[Voyageur]

I figured a little lower pressure, didn't know the time. Used National Weather Service data from the Naval Air Station, 29.99, thought the game was earlier.

10 yards? No, I think it would have gone another 5 yards. I think it went about 75 yards, looking at where the guy in the back of the end zone caught it.

It would be cool if someone made a machine that kicked footballs and went around to each stadium over time and checked how much difference temperature and density altitude can affect the ball being kicked. I think having a machine that kicks at a constant rate would be the only way to do it.

I also think someone could probably write a computer program to figure it out as well. The only thing they would have to figure out is how hard a kicker kicks the ball.

The fair catch and free kick rule could be interesting for guys with legs like his. To kick a 70-yard FG, he had to kick it 77 yards. He did it out of a hold with a defensive rush. With the free kick, his team could have called for a fair catch and caught it at their own 33 yard line and he could have nailed it from there for a 77-yard FG. His leg brings up some interesting potential scenarios for games down the road.

Imagine being down by 2 points with 3 seconds on the clock and you have the ball on your own 35 after a fair caught punt. Defenders can't be within 10 yards of him on the free kick so he can do it off a tee and nail the game winner. If more kickers with legs like that start showing up in the NFL the whole complexion of what it takes to run a clock out will change dramatically. Any team who had a kicker with that kind of leg and a punter like Townsend for Houston, the kicking game becomes a weapon that can tip the scales on a game considerably.

 

[gopkrs]

Of course if it's not at the end of the game/half; a miss leaves the ball at the 30.

 

[OldSchool101]

The fair catch and free kick rule could be interesting for guys with legs like his. To kick a 70-yard FG, he had to kick it 77 yards. He did it out of a hold with a defensive rush. With the free kick, his team could have called for a fair catch and caught it at their own 33 yard line and he could have nailed it from there for a 77-yard FG. His leg brings up some interesting potential scenarios for games down the road.

Imagine being down by 2 points with 3 seconds on the clock and you have the ball on your own 35 after a fair caught punt. Defenders can't be within 10 yards of him on the free kick so he can do it off a tee and nail the game winner. If more kickers with legs like that start showing up in the NFL the whole complexion of what it takes to run a clock out will change dramatically. Any team who had a kicker with that kind of leg and a punter like Townsend for Houston, the kicking game becomes a weapon that can tip the scales on a game considerably.

Interesting. It’s certainly plausible with that range. I remember an K in Minnesota who would eat a snickers he kept in his shoe before Kicks. I swear I remember on one occasion on a standard Kickoff he put it through the uprights. Nobody made a big deal because it wasn’t points but if memory serves me he had room to spare also which is amazing.

Although I do recall them saying on that recent Fair Catch Rule that you can’t use a Tee, it has to be a holder or drop kick?

I always wondered if you interfere with the fair catch in that scenario does it affect that rule for a free try. A flag there for interference would basically be points. The ST coach better be aware of these scenarios at the end of a Half for sure.

 

[Raptorman]

The fair catch and free kick rule could be interesting for guys with legs like his. To kick a 70-yard FG, he had to kick it 77 yards. He did it out of a hold with a defensive rush. With the free kick, his team could have called for a fair catch and caught it at their own 33 yard line and he could have nailed it from there for a 77-yard FG. His leg brings up some interesting potential scenarios for games down the road.

Imagine being down by 2 points with 3 seconds on the clock and you have the ball on your own 35 after a fair caught punt. Defenders can't be within 10 yards of him on the free kick so he can do it off a tee and nail the game winner. If more kickers with legs like that start showing up in the NFL the whole complexion of what it takes to run a clock out will change dramatically. Any team who had a kicker with that kind of leg and a punter like Townsend for Houston, the kicking game becomes a weapon that can tip the scales on a game considerably.

So, 13 attempts since the merger, average of 61 yards. 2 successful. Last successful one? December of 2024. Chargers at Broncos. I have to admit I have never seen one. Oh.....57 yards.

 

[Voyageur]

Interesting. It’s certainly plausible with that range. I remember an K in Minnesota who would eat a snickers he kept in his shoe before Kicks. I swear I remember on one occasion on a standard Kickoff he put it through the uprights. Nobody made a big deal because it wasn’t points but if memory serves me he had room to spare also which is amazing.

Although I do recall them saying on that recent Fair Catch Rule that you can’t use a Tee, it has to be a holder or drop kick?

I always wondered if you interfere with the fair catch in that scenario does it affect that rule for a free try. A flag there for interference would basically be points. The ST coach better be aware of these scenarios at the end of a Half for sure.

Yes. The ball must be held. That does make it a bit more difficult but today's kickers aren't using cleats of any consequence on their kicking foot so they don't need to worry about scrubbing the ground. On that type of kick, the ball is in play and the defense can let it go into the end zone as a touch back, call a fair catch, or run it back. It doesn't revert to the point of the kick.

On the interference with a fair catch the penalty is assessed and the team can still elect to use the free kick.

The rules surrounding it are a bit different than the rules associated normally with kicking the ball. It makes a lot of things possible.

 

[Voyageur]

So, 13 attempts since the merger, average of 61 yards. 2 successful. Last successful one? December of 2024. Chargers at Broncos. I have to admit I have never seen one. Oh.....57 yards.

Here's a complete list of the 60 yards plus FGs made. It's quite a list. I saw a few of them on TV as it happened, but the only one in person was Akers kick against the Packers in 2012. The ball hit the crossbar and went over. The Packers lost to the 49ers 30-22. Akers kicked three FGs that day. It was a bummer, losing on opening day in Lambeau Field.

Something that surprised me. Three of the 60 plus kicks have been in Minnesota. Two in the new stadium and one prior to that. I'd have thought most would have been at Mile High in Denver but was surprised at the mix.

List of longest NFL field goals - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[OldSchool101]

This Range thing got me thinking.

I loved Crosby, he was pretty accurate within about 51-52 yards and max range more in that 54-55 yarder area. Yet he was also clutch, big games didn’t frighten him.

McManus has better accuracy inside 55-56 yards and has another +5 yards of leg over Mason imo. I wouldn’t be shocked to see McManus plug a 60 yarder in ideal conditions.

In 2025 and if it’s not super Windy, once we sniff or cross the opponent 40 yard line we’re in his range. When teams are now often starting from their 35 yard area? that’s essentially a pair of 1st Downs = points if you’ve got a Top Kicker.

Kind of interesting because statistically you get around 10-12 possessions regularly. If you tried a FG on each one at just 67% you’d score ~22 points which is probably closer to league average. So doing the math backwards you want your Kicker trying FG’s once he in that 70% + range. For McNamath it’s getting him to around the opponent 40 yard line. Obviously this is just on average you play the game conditions also. In a low scoring it’s sb easy decision with reasonable weather. In a high scoring you push more for 7pts etc.

 

[milani]

So, 13 attempts since the merger, average of 61 yards. 2 successful. Last successful one? December of 2024. Chargers at Broncos. I have to admit I have never seen one. Oh.....57 yards.

I saw a free kick FG in 1964. HOFER Paul Hornung kicked one from 52 yards at the end of the first half against the Bears.

 

[Voyageur]

I saw a free kick FG in 1964. HOFER Paul Hornung kicked one from 52 yards at the end of the first half against the Bears.

That was a good one to watch. Sadly I had to watch it on TV. Lombardi stunned everyone when he had them make the kick.

 

[Thirteen Below]

Something that surprised me. Three of the 60 plus kicks have been in Minnesota. Two in the new stadium and one prior to that. I'd have thought most would have been at Mile High in Denver but was surprised at the mix.

List of longest NFL field goals - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Actually, 4 of them in Minneapolis, at 3 different stadiums (there was one at the Gophers' stadium).

Also 4 in Dallas (3 of those against the Eagles), 3 in Denver, and 3 in Philadelphia. 8 of them (out of 38) were made in a Cowboys game, with 7 of those 8 kicks being made by Dallas - 18% of all FGs over 60 yards were made by Cowboy kickers; 4 by Brett Maher (who has more than anyone else), 3 by Brandon Aubrey.

It's not at all surprising that 3 of the longest kicks were in Denver (5200 feet), but then 3 of the others were made in Philadelphia - 39 feet. And the only cities with 4 (Minneapolis and Dallas) are at 751 and 854 feet.

Just an odd assortment of numbers that really doesn't show too much of a pattern, except that Dallas seems to know how to scout and coach kickers.

 

[milani]

That was a good one to watch. Sadly I had to watch it on TV. Lombardi stunned everyone when he had them make the kick.

Did not have anything to lose really. It was the last play of the first half.

 

[Deleted member 18607 aka in gute we trust]

When i was kicking, warm weather (about 55 to 70 degrees) and low humidity and the ball went a tad further. When it was cold, the ball felt like you were kicking a rock, and when it was hot it did strange things in the air like watching a knuckle ball in baseball on a hot humid day. Even though the difference might seem slight to someone who doesn't apply the principle of kicking themselves it would be better if you listen to people who actually experience differences based on weather.

Ask yourself why NFL kickers in domed stadiums kick better and punters punt better inside than those outside. Factor in wind, humidity, temperature, and anything else that can effect a kick.

When you were "kicking" where? The NFL? College? Arena league?

Come up with a story fast, or better yet, don't. No one is buying you were ever a kicker, anywhere but in your imagination and your backyard.

 

[Voyageur]

When you were "kicking" where? The NFL? College? Arena league?

Come up with a story fast, or better yet, don't. No one is buying you were ever a kicker, anywhere but in your imagination and your backyard.

You really are an idiot, aren't you?

 

[El Guapo]

When you were "kicking" where? The NFL? College? Arena league?

Come up with a story fast, or better yet, don't. No one is buying you were ever a kicker, anywhere but in your imagination and your backyard.

Voyageur is a respected member on here.

You are trending in the opposite direction with your abrasive style.

 

[Deleted member 18607 aka in gute we trust]

Voyageur is a respected member on here.

You are trending in the opposite direction with your abrasive style.

Good luck with that. I am here to talk football, not to make friends, have enough those.